Best Trails in Uncompahgre Wilderness

Looking for a great trail in Uncompahgre Wilderness, Colorado? AllTrails has 20 great hiking trails, trail running trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. Gearing up for a challenge? There are 10 hard trails in Uncompahgre Wilderness ranging from 4.8 to 17.5 miles and from 8,864 to 14,317 feet above sea level. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time!

Absolutely gorgeous hike! It was really snowy when I went, but the trails weren't too terrible with snowshoes. I would highly, highly, highly recommend this hike! It was one of the most stunning hikes. I brought my pup and she had a blast!

Fun and beautiful hike in the snow! Highly recommend Katoolas during winter. There can be quite a bit of ice and slippery, packed snow. A pair of light weight poles may be a comfort for the narrow sections. I especially liked the waterfalls, the tunnel just past Box Canon, and constantly changing terrain. Fun!

Poughkeepsie Gulch is one of our favorite mountain trails in Colorado. Pasted above is a link to our youtube video of the trail. If you have not done it you have to give it a try. The wall, the most difficult obstacle, does has a bypass and it also has winch points.

Did this hike on 12/8/2018 on a sunny day with packed snow on the ground. The hike is actually only .2 miles from the trailhead to the waterfall. Description on AllTrails is currently very inaccurate. There are a bunch of other loop trails to do that branch off from the trailhead of this hike, but the .2 mile trail to the Cornet Creek waterfall dead ends at the waterfall.

Would rate this waterfall in the winter as 10 stars if I could!!! When we visited, the waterfall was frozen and formed into an icicle-like volcano with the water still pouring into the top of the “volcano”. Very awesome and unique sight!

On the other hand, the short hike to get to the waterfall was pretty challenging with the snow on the ground! Used ice cleats for traction, but trail is very narrow (barely the width of one human foot) in some stretches and follows along a steep ledge most of the way. I was very scared during the first attempt to make it past the narrow, steep sections and gave up, but then found a branch to use for support and felt more comfortable. My husband is like a mountain goat and made it just fine without ice cleats or a trekking pole.

Beautiful trail but the beginning was not for people who are afraid of heights. I sadly have a fear of heights and found it very difficult. The part from the beautiful falls on was fantastic! I think it’s one of the prettiest hikes I’ve ever been on. We went in the summer.

Great for 1st time off-roaders with no real intimidating sections and amazing views. Aspens are beautiful in fall and there is an expansive overlook about 9 miles from the highway entrance off 550 near Ridgeway.

Another mile past the overlook you can find Alder Creek Trailhead that leads to a wonderful hike through the woods and meadows. The trail is not easily identifiable in some spots and connects with several abandoned logging roads so be sure to bring adequate supplies and a trail map/compass.

Go slow & enjoy the views on an easy winding road through the mountains. Road is possible w/o 4WD, but for the off road portion I would not recommend it unless you want some body damage...a couple minor water crossings and bumpy secrions with lots of rocks would make the trip unpleasant in a 2WD in my opinion. if it has rained 4WD would be best for steep muddy spots.

Best trail I have done in a while. I fell in love with this trail pretty quickly. We took it from the Ouray side coming up. Rainy and muddy that day. The wall area is so much fun. Took two of the three lines on the bottom with no winching. I did scrape some undercarriage on them...oh well. Always use protection people

This trail is an unassuming adventure, with challenging elevation gains that are well spread apart. In addition to amazing views of Ourey and the surrounding peaks, this trail features many variations of terrain. Definitely worthwhile, but try to plan hiking this on a cooler day.

What a trail! If you are slightly scared of heights avoid the very beginning of the trail and get on at the parking lot at the falls... it will definitely get your attention! Views were unbelievable- especially at the High Point- overlooking 550. Pack a sandwich and be ready to have a seat and just take in the view. Great trail- and don’t miss the waterfall in Box Canyon. And yes, the distances are off- it’s longer but worth it!

As stated by others the distance seems off, we went close to 7 miles. Many off and on spots, we did the full trail. The beginning right out of the parking lot is no joke! No warming up given. I would say the first part of the trail is hard to strenuous depending on skill. There are some narrow parts walking alongside the cliff, thus if scared of heights might want to think twice. The views of Ouray were amazing and the different terrain you experience was cool to experience. Not a lot of traffic at all.

Great drive. Was not expecting all the rocks coming down from Animas Fork. Definitely chastity scrapping in some areas. Other than that my Jeep Wrangler did great! We had a blast and spent all day on the Alpine Trail.

Great walk. If doing in the morning start at Visitor Center and go clockwise as will make most of the shade. Great views of the town throughout the walk. Took us a little over 3 hours with plenty of stops to admire the views. Last section across the canyon was brilliant. Don't be tempted to take short cut back to town after the canyon. Follow trail back up for dramatic gorge walk and overlook.

Great trail walking distance from wherever you are staying in Ouray. Surprisingly, it offers a diversity of sights - waterfalls, small slot canyon, Box Canon Falls, and vistas of the town and surrounding mountains - while offering a decent amount of exercise. Uniquely offers multiple points to jump on and off the trail about town. Very enjoyable.

Well...if you have read any of the posts then you are already aware that the distance and elevation gain they claim on their map is WAAAYYY off. Its about 6.5 to 7 miles with 1385 ft gain (garmin gps watch) if you start at the visitor center and head clockwise (cascade falls to baby bathtubs to highpoint) and end after Ice Park. We were starving by that point (even after eating breakfast then granola bars on the trail

had a great hike but be prepared to be tired. we did the whole thing and got every aspect of weather including hail...thankfully we were in a wooded section. there are definitely some spots that would be tricky if wet. also some narrow areas with steep drop offs. had a dog with us that was very smart and obedient otherwise would have been a little nerve racking and she also had to be carried as a few bridges and stairs had wide grates as a surface!

we had a great hike with great views, waterfalls, streams , and river crossings! i would agree with other comments to start at the falls and end at box canyon. after that is when is gets super narrow and steep.

Beautiful trail!! Perfect hike for getting fully immersed in the San Juans. Uncompahgre is a unique, funky, and photogenic mountain and is, for the most part, a Class 1 walk-up. Perfect for novice-to-intermediate 14er hikers. Near the top is a gnarly, steep Class 2 (borderline Class 3) crux. When you get to this part (you'll know it when you see it), I recommend taking the route to the left of the rock tower, not the one to the right. It's less steep. The good news is that it's short.

The Nellie Creek 4WD road to the trailhead is no joke. Large rocks, creek crossings, tight hairpin turns, and dips. High clearance is mandatory-- my Jeep Liberty has 8" of clearance and still scraped bottom more times than I would have liked. Good news is that the creek crossings are running low right now-- about 3" for the first crossing and about 4" for the second crossing.

A great short hike if you’re looking to fit one in quick. Like other reviewers said, this is steep In Spots with a few sketchy ledges to negotiate. Don’t let the short distance fool you into thinking this is a walk in park. If you’re looking for a short hike due to a lack of fitness you best skip this one or you may end up in over your head. That being said, I’d do it again